Pye Homes is creating a major new development of energy efficient housing in association with Radley College.
Church Farm, which will eventually include 240 properties, is on land previously owned by the College and will promote a ‘greener way of living’.
The new community will be built in line with Pye’s ‘legacy principles’, which are based on the belief landowners have a social, economic and moral responsibility to deliver quality housing solutions of which its local community can be proud.
Reflecting Pye’s commitment to sustainability, these homes will not have fossil fuel boilers, instead moving to more environmentally friendly heating solutions with solar panels and air source heat pumps.
A significant portion of the homes will have an EPC rating of A, giving every homeowner a greater level of comfort, with the potential to reduce heating costs.
The homes will be constructed utilising a mix of traditional, local materials including brick, stone and wood each with unique features. All will be wheelchair accessible and built to accommodate future accessibility needs.
A new cycle link between Radley and Oxford via Kennington will also be part of the development along with additional public open spaces, public transport infrastructure and pedestrian crossing areas – all aimed at encouraging greener lifestyle choices.
The site will have a higher than average biodiversity net gain and incorporate natural landscaping to encourage and protect local wildlife, including the introduction of badger corridors.
“We are delighted to be working with such an internationally renowned institution as Radley, who share both our vision for change and a deep care for the communities we are building in,” said Pye Homes Blenheim’s MD Graham Flint.
“This world is in a state of climate emergency, we need to ensure places are designed today to meet tomorrow’s needs, not to focus on yesterday’s accepted standards.
“Over the coming years residents will expect so much more from their homes in terms of performance and levels of comfort, and we believe residents will look to and move further towards zero carbon living.
“The community at Church Farm is not only a different way of building, it’s also nurturing a greener way of living; something all of us need to adopt to help protect future generations,” he added.
In addition to providing much-needed, high quality accommodation in an area with a housing shortage, the new development will also help the Radley Foundation, a charity set up to establish an endowment fund to enable talented boys to come to Radley and to financially support families unable to afford the fees.
David Anderson, Estates Bursar, Radley College said: “Radley is an integral part of its local community and is committed to creating homes that will enhance its surroundings and provide a long-term, positive legacy for the area.
“We share many common goals and values with Pye Homes Blenheim, whose own regional expertise and company values are aligned with ours, and this was influential in our choosing them to work with us on this community,” he added.
The site will include 84 affordable homes; 21 of which will be shared ownership and the remaining 63 will form part of an affordable rent scheme, with 156 properties available to buy on the open market.
It is hoped a limited number of homes will be available to reserve off-plan this summer and the show home is due to open in the winter.
